5 South Metro Neighborhoods You Need to Know About Right Now

Look, house hunting in the South Metro can feel overwhelming. There are so many new developments popping up between Prior Lake, Lakeville, Rosemount, and Inver Grove Heights that it's hard to know where to even start.

So I did the work for you. These five neighborhoods are the ones everyone's asking me about right now, and for good reason. Whether you want acreage, amenities your family will actually use, or just a solid new construction home in a great location, one of these is probably your answer.

Builder: Pulte Homes
Price Range: $372,990 - $615,990+
Size: 1,565 - 3,290+ sq ft

Okay, here's the thing about Amber Fields. It's not just about the house. You're buying into over 100 acres of actual outdoor space. We're talking seven community parks, dedicated pickleball courts (yes, it's still a thing), and even a dog park.

This is for families who actually use their outdoor space, not just talk about it. Your kids can bike to multiple playgrounds, you can play pickleball without driving across town, and your dog gets their own space. It's thoughtfully designed, and you can tell.

Pulte brought 14 different floor plans, so you're not stuck with one or two options. Their Freedom series starts at $372k for townhomes that live like single-family homes. The Inspiration series gives you that sweet spot of 1,500-2,500 sq ft for growing families. And if you want to go bigger, the Expressions series goes up to 3,290 sq ft with all the bells and whistles.

Every home comes with smart home features already installed and energy-efficient everything, which actually matters when you're paying utility bills.

Families who want a neighborhood where their kids can roam safely, dog owners who are tired of driving to find a decent park, and anyone who wants amenities they'll actually use instead of just pay HOA fees for.

Builder: Moderno Homes
Lot Sizes: 2.5 - 7 acres
Total Lots: Only 12

This is the one everyone keeps asking me about. Cardinal Pass only has 12 homesites total, which means it's exclusive without being pretentious about it. You get 2.5 to 7 acre lots with rolling hills, open spaces, and actual tree lines—not the sad little saplings some developments plant and call it "mature landscaping."

The location is perfect too. You've got a Prior Lake address, Credit River serenity, and Lakeville South schools. It's basically the trifecta of South Metro living.

Moderno Homes has been doing this for over 30 years and they've built more than 800 homes. They're not some new builder trying to figure it out as they go. They do true custom builds where you're involved in the decisions, not just picking from three cabinet colors and calling it "custom."

Their project management style means you actually know what's happening with your build instead of wondering why no one's shown up to work in three days.

People who want serious acreage without being 45 minutes from civilization. If you've been searching for 2+ acre lots in the Prior Lake/Lakeville area and keep coming up empty, this is your answer. Just don't wait too long. 12 lots goes fast.

Builder: Moderno Homes
Lot Sizes: 1.5 - 2.5 acres
School District: Lakeville (District 194)

Tara Farm sits right between Prior Lake and Lakeville, which means you get the best of both. It's tucked into this beautiful wooded area with actual topography (hills, trees, character) instead of flat farmland that all looks the same.

You're minutes from 35W, so commuting doesn't suck, but when you pull into your driveway it feels like you're worlds away from everything. That's rare to find this close to the metro.

These 1.5 to 2.5 acre lots give you space without being overwhelming to maintain. You can have the privacy and outdoor space you want without needing a riding mower and three weekends a month just to keep up with it.

The wooded lots mean you're not staring at your neighbor's kitchen window from yours, and the mature trees make it feel established from day one.

Families who want Lakeville schools (District 194 consistently ranks as one of the best in the state), people who need convenient highway access but don't want to sacrifice the acreage lifestyle, and anyone who's tired of looking at boring flat lots with zero character.

Builder: Timberland Custom Homes
School District: District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan)
Lot Style: Custom homesites with conserved nature

Amberwood is what happens when someone actually thinks about how a neighborhood should feel instead of just cramming in as many houses as possible. The community has three acres of protected nature right in the middle of it—mature trees, rolling hills, and green space that's not going anywhere.

District 196 schools are award-winning (Red Pine Elementary is literally six blocks away), and you're in Inver Grove Heights which gives you that perfect balance of established community and modern development.

Timberland Custom Homes designed this neighborhood for people who want luxury but also want their kids playing outside in actual nature, not just a wood-chip playground. The lots work with the natural landscape instead of bulldozing everything flat.

You get the custom home experience with a builder who knows how to work with the land, which means your home actually fits the lot instead of looking like it was dropped there from another state.

Families who prioritize schools (District 196 is consistently top-rated), people who want established trees and nature instead of waiting 10 years for landscaping to grow in, and anyone looking for that luxury custom feel without the massive acreage price tag.

Location: South of 185th St on Kenwood Trail
School District: Lakeville (District 194)
Available Lots: 20+

Location, location, location. You're two miles from Lakeville North High School, two miles from Target, and basically two miles from everything you need on a regular basis. This is convenience without the compromise.

The neighborhood itself gives you that newer development feel with serene surroundings, but you're not sacrificing accessibility. No more "I have to drive 20 minutes just to grab milk" situations.

With over 20 new lots available right now, you've got options. New construction means modern floor plans, current building codes, energy efficiency, and no surprise repairs lurking around the corner.

You're building exactly what you want instead of renovating someone else's choices from 1987.

Busy families who need to be close to schools and daily errands, people who want new construction in an established Lakeville location, and anyone who values their time and doesn't want to spend half their life in the car just to get to basic necessities.

Here's how I'd break it down:

Want amenities your family will actually use? → Amber Fields
Need serious acreage with exclusivity? → Cardinal Pass
Want wooded lots with highway convenience? → Tara Farm
Prioritize award-winning schools with nature? → Amberwood
Need central location with new construction? → The Preserve

The South Metro has some incredible options right now, but these five neighborhoods are the ones that keep coming up in conversations for good reasons. They're not just selling houses—they're offering the lifestyle and location people actually want.